["Only a Boy Named David" -- yes, from the days of our very young days at church. There's a sling involved, it's the only thing I could think of that was roughly on point.]
One of the marvels of modern technology is the Slingbox from SlingMedia. I now have one. In a nutshell, you buy a device (I got the Pro HD version at Best Buy for $299 or something like that). You then hook it up to your cable or satellite box as well as to your home network. Then, with the installation of some software on your computer and some additional configuration, it's ready to go.
"Ready to go" meaning what, exactly? Ready to sling local TV programming to anywhere in the world where you have a high speed Internet connection. You can even stream the programming to your BlackBerry (well, not my low-budget, no-camera version) or other smart phone. When you log in, you can see the programs that are currently on, which admittedly doesn't help me that much because in weeknights I'd be getting soaps and other fun daytime programming. BUT, it also features a virtual TV remote that allows you to view whatever has been DVR'd. Ooooohhhh.... Can you say Law & Order? Colbert Report? Bears games?
Now, one drawback to this is that, um, I no longer have US cable service. But Seth and Dena and have graciously agreed to host the device at their house. They, of course, also have the ability to use it wherever they go as well. And obviously I am subject to their whims of whatever they want to record, but Seth already records "The Colbert Report" and also has hooked me on "In Plain Sight." I am lobbying for inclusion of some Law & Order action to be included as well. And, when the season comes, Bears games. Oooohhhhh..... Sooo excited!!!
And this is a fiscally responsible decision, too. I have been paying $1.99 an episode through iTunes to get "The Colbert Report" and regular "Law & Order" so I figure the SlingBox will actually pay for itself (though admittedly I will no longer be able to download the episodes to my iPod, but how often did I actually watch the episodes on that tiny screen?).
I love toys....
No comments:
Post a Comment